Earlier today in Brooklyn federal court, Michail Chkhikvishvili, a Georgian national also known as “Mishka,” “Michael,” “Commander Butcher,” and “Butcher,” pleaded guilty to charges of soliciting hate crimes and sending instructions for making bombs and ricin. Chkhikvishvili led the Maniac Murder Cult, an international extremist group that promoted racially motivated violence. He was extradited from Moldova to the Eastern District of New York in May 2025.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi commented on the case: “The outstanding investigative work in this case saved untold lives and underscores the crucial behind-the-scenes activity of our federal law enforcement agents. Violent, nihilistic, racist groups like these are an ongoing threat to the American people – our vigilance will not waver as we protect our citizens.”
FBI Director Kash Patel stated: “With today’s guilty plea, this defendant admits to a horrific plot targeting Jewish people and racial minorities and even planned to poison children with candy around the holidays. The defendant was extradited from Moldova to face charges. This case shows once more that no matter where you are, if you try to harm our citizens the FBI and our partners will find you and bring you to justice.”
Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg added: “Chkhikvishvili’s monstrous plots and propaganda calling for racially motivated violence against civilians, including children, posed a grave threat to public safety. Unfortunately, his efforts on behalf of the aptly named Maniac Murder Cult in fact caused mayhem and death. We condemn his despicable ideology and will use every tool at our disposal to bring such predators to justice.”
U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr., said: “The defendant has admitted his vile actions, including recruiting others to commit acts of violence against Jewish and racial minority children. His incitement of hate crimes resulted in real-world violence. This prosecution shows that our Office will protect all communities from evildoers like the defendant from wherever they spew their hate."
Authorities say Chkhikvishvili traveled to Brooklyn in June 2022. Starting as early as July 2022, he used encrypted messaging apps like Telegram to encourage others—sometimes communicating with an undercover FBI employee—to commit violent acts for Maniac Murder Cult.
Since September 2021, Chkhikvishvili circulated a manifesto called the "Hater’s Handbook," which advocates mass violence including school shootings.
In late 2023, he solicited bombings and arsons aimed at harming racial minorities and Jewish individuals through communications with someone he thought would carry out attacks but who was actually working with law enforcement. In November 2023 he began planning a mass casualty attack for New Year’s Eve in New York City involving poisoning candy distributed by someone dressed as Santa Claus; by January he instructed targeting specifically Jewish schools and children in Brooklyn using poison like ricin.
Chkhikvishvili's encouragement reportedly inspired real-world attacks internationally:
- In January 2025 at Antioch High School in Nashville, Tennessee, a student killed one person before dying by suicide after livestreaming part of the attack; his manifesto cited both Maniac Murder Cult involvement and referenced Chkhikvishvili.
- In August 2024 outside a mosque in Eskisehir, Turkey, an individual stabbed several people while wearing Nazi symbols; references were made both to Chkhikvishvili personally and materials authored by him.
If convicted on all counts at sentencing, Chkhikvishvili could receive up to 40 years imprisonment.
The FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force led the investigation along with support from multiple agencies including local police departments, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Justice Department offices specializing in international affairs and cooperation from Moldovan authorities during extradition procedures.
Prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Ellen H. Sise and Andrew D. Reich (National Security and Cybercrime Section), assisted by Trial Attorney Justin Sher (National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section) alongside paralegal specialists Wayne Colon and Rebecca Roth.
